L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Extraordinary Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

I have found a drugstore oil shampoo and conditioner set that is just as nice as my "luxury brands": L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Extraordinary Oil Shampoo and Conditioner (from $4 to $8 each, depending on store). I like oil products for my skin, so when I saw the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare products at the Giant grocery store, I decided to try them. They were on sale, so I had little to lose. To skip to the end, I love the shampoo and conditioner, and I continue to purchase them. They have become my go-to hair products.

Here is what L’Oréal has to say about them...
Dry, lifeless hair? Transform it. Renourish and rejuvenate hair with the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Extraordinary Oil system. Strands go from dry and lifeless to soft and lustrous in just one wash. Experience the power of L’Oréal Paris Extraordinary Oil with Oil Complex - coconut, argan, chamomile, amla, soja, and sunflower oils. Deep nourishment without the weight for incredibly lustrous, touchably soft hair.

Truth!  The shampoo thoroughly cleanses my hair of mousse and hairspray with one wash. That saves me time in the shower in the morning. The conditioner detangles my hair quickly and leaves it soft, moisturized, and bouncy. Unlike many conditioners, I don't have to use more conditioner than shampoo, so I run out of both around the same time. What more could I want? I think it even reduces frizz from humidity and split ends - and extra added benefit.

L’Oréal keeps changing the packaging, which confused me at first. The last set I purchased looked like the photos here. The container sits flat on it's snap-on top. I have to ensure that it snaps shut or it may leak a little since the fluid flows to the top. I've learned. I see online that L’Oréal may now be calling it 6 Oil Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner. It's the same product.

The shampoo and conditioner were designed for use on all hair types. They are safe for color-treated hair. You can see the ingredients here. There is a problem with the list, though. The ingredients list on my containers does not include propylene glycol. I tend to trust the container rather than the Web site. The light fragrance is enjoyable while I am using the products in the shower, but I don't smell it after I've styled my hair. I've left a set at my hair stylist's salon so that they can use it on me when I visit. I prefer these beauties to their house brand. I've invited my stylist to try it, and she loves it too.

You can find L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Extraordinary Oil Shampoo and Conditioner at mass market drugstores and grocery stores. Watch for sales; they happen often. There are plenty of online sources too, such as Target. I think you'll be pleased with these frugal treasures.

Photos courtesy of L’Oréal Paris

ECRU Acacia Protein Shampoo and Conditioner

One day, ECRU Acacia Protein Shampoo ($25) and Conditioner ($25) showed up in the mail - sent by a lovely PR representative. I was delighted. There has to be some reward for being a blogger! I had just run out of the products I was using, and I love trying new hair products.

The shampoo is made with Acacia Collagen, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Wheat Protein, and Safflower Seed Oil. It is designed to dramatically improve your hair’s strength, texture, and manageability while repairing split ends (the bane of my existence). It's recommended for daily use - that's a good thing because I have to wash and style my hair every day for it to look good. Why not use a shampoo that's nourishing? It contains no parabens or sulfates, and it's safe for color-treated hair.

The ECRU Acacia Protein Conditioner contains the same good-for-your-hair ingredients and offers the same benefits. The two plastic bottles make a good pair for use in the shower. I leave the conditioner on my hair as long a possible, doing all my face and body washing and eyelid scrubbing while I wait for it to work its magic. The only slightly critical thing I could say about the conditioner is that I have to use a lot of it. My hair is very fine and thin, and washing it tangles it. Many conditioners have to be left on for about four minutes to work well. Not all, but many. If you have normal hair, you won't have that problem.

The Acacia Protein Shampoo and Conditioner smell amazingly nice while I'm using them, but the light fragrance is gone when my shower is finished. How perfect!

The Acacia Seyal tree, native to Africa, produces a natural gum-like substance that is extracted from its bark and pods. This anti-aging, plant-based collagen is unlike other collagens because it provides more moisture and moisture retention. The drier, more damaged or aged hair is, the more effective this collagen is. Acacia Collagen is a pure botanical ingredient that is used in high-end skin care. All of the facts about these products have been studied, tested, and verified, according to ECRU.

Silk proteins are the highest grade protein ingredients that are created from the hydrolysis of silk fibers. They are actually "the inner part" of silk removed during this process. Originally used in skin care, when applied to hair, silk proteins form a transparent protective film that seals the hair cuticle, increasing elasticity, natural shine and further preventing damage to the hair.

ECRU New York was created to "Treat and Perform." Silk proteins are used in every product within the collection because they strengthen and improve the integrity of the hair. I have tried a second line within the collection, and it's just as nice.

The company also sent me Acacia Protein BB Cream, a protective, styling product I haven't tried yet. I'll report back on it when I do. I can't experiment with styling creams - especially when I have to go to work. I will never forget that day when I got to work and had to go to the salon next door to get help after I had applied a new product. You can read about that emergency here. Not that I expect an emergency from Acacia, but I have been afraid of styling products ever since.

Finding these beautiful products may be a trick. I used ECRU's locator and couldn't find them offered within 25 miles of my house. However, I found a long list of retailers in New Jersey and New York. Fortunately, you can shop online with ECRU. The price is right. I'm going to order and get the super-sized bottles, which are the best deal. These are very nice products.

Photos courtesy of ECRU

Suave Professionals Natural Infusion Seaweed and Lotus Blossom All Day Body Shampoo and Conditioner

How I love it when my hair has body! It looks good. It feels good to the touch. I like my reflection in the mirror. Suave sent me their new Suave Professionals Natural Infusion Seaweed and Lotus Blossom All Day Body Shampoo and Conditioner (each about $4-$6, depending on retailer) to try. I am in love.

I was astonished when I used this duo for the first time. Both the shampoo and conditioner have a pleasant, natural scent, which disappears after the shower. They both have substantially thick textures. After using both, my hair had body - body that lasted not only through the day, but into the next. Need to go a day without shampooing in the morning? Suave may provide the solution.

Enriched with special exotic natural ingredients, such as seaweed and lotus blossom, and free from parabens and dyes, Suave's Seaweed All Day Body Shampoo and Conditioner products gently cleanse while adding body from root to tip leaving uniformly voluminous hair. There seem to be no traces of product left behind, so I really can't figure out how they did it. These new products leave my hair with body and without any weight or coated feeling. My hair bounces with life.

Despite their luxurious effects, these are mass market products. You can find them at drugstores. I am looking now at a price on drugstore.com of $3.99 for the conditioner. Four dollars? Why would I ever buy a $35 shampoo or conditioner again? I've spent way more than that - behavior that I've now sworn off.

Shampoo and conditioner aren't magical. There are some awesome luxury products. I enjoy using them. I've learned through experience that Suave offers me the same luxury at a fraction of the price I've paid in the past. I have become a Suave junkie. I've been using Suave hairsprays for years. Now I'm a convert to the company's extensive hair care line, including its wonderful shampoos and conditioners. Give this new set a try and please let me know what you think.

Photo courtesy of Suave

Suave Professional Shine Shampoo and Conditioner System and Deep Conditioning Shine Mask with Moroccan Argan Oil

Once again, Suave Professionals has developed a dynamite set of hair products. The new Shine System is infused with Moroccan argan oil that offers, at a minimum, the following benefits.

• Noticeable shine
• Long lasting conditioning
• Light, luxurious fragrance

I had received several of these products for potential review a few months ago. For some reason, I set them aside, and then they slipped off my radar. In August, with the DC area at its zenith for humidity, I noticed that every broken hair, every split end I had had turned to frizz. I knew I needed hair care products that would add some moisture while making my hair "sit down." I started using the Shine Shampoo and Shine Conditioner and have been delighted. Not only do these new products make my frizzies behave, but my hair has volume (no weight added) and shine.

The new Shine Shampoo, infused with authentic Moroccan argan oil, gently cleanses while making hair brilliantly shiny. I've been following with Shine Conditioner - also with Moroccan argan oil - that leaves my hair silky soft and easy to comb out. The conditioner smoothes hair from the to the tips, adding the benefits of argan oil without any oiliness.

Suave also sent me the Deep Conditioning Shine Mask with Moroccan argan oil for normal to dry hair. This indulgent deep conditioning shine hair mask, also infused with authentic Moroccan argan oil, noticeably improves hair texture, intensely moisturizing for touchably soft hair that shines. It can be used in place of the conditioner. Just leave it on for longer when you are in the shower. I've been using it once or twice a week, as directed.

These products are inexpensive (for example, $3.99 for the shampoo at CVS) and can be found at mass market retailers (like Giant Food near me) and drugstores, CVS for example.

Photos courtesy of Suave Professionals

Sally Hershberger Plump Up Volume Shampoo and Conditioner with Collagen for Instant Body + Volume

"Give your hair guts," is the tagline for Sally Hershberger's new Plump Up Volume Shampoo and Conditioner ($8.99 each). Both feature collagen for instant body and volume. I was offered the opportunity to try these two products, and I jumped at the chance. My hair is as limp and lifeless as hair comes, and anything that will add volume without weight commands my attention.

Women have used collagen on their faces for years. Now it's the hottest ingredient for hair. This volumizing formula with natural marine collagen thickens and plumps the hair instantly for a noticeably full, polished look, while African baobab tree extract and natural rice proteins repair and plump for the ultimate in full-bodied style. Here are the specifics.

• Natural marine collagen naturally plumps and thickens hair from root to tip, without adding weight.
• African baobab tree extract detangles, moisturizes, and volumizes hair.
• Rice proteins strengthen, hydrate, and thicken hair.
• Sea Water provides natural volume and texture.

Both products are color-safe. They are also said to offer a bit of ultraviolet protection.

Do they work? They sure do! There's a reason Sally Hershberger is one of the most influential and sought-after hairstylists across the globe. As the first female hairstylist whose talent and business acumen enabled her to reach celebrity status, Sally is a personal favorite of directors and celebrities alike and is equally in demand in the world of fashion. In addition to her work with top celebrities and photographers, Sally travels coast to coast to work with personal clients in her New York and Los Angeles Salons. In 2008, she created her eponymous hair care line, Sally Hershberger.

The ultimate in luxury hair care without the price tag to match, all Hershberger's products undergo testing by Sally herself at her New York City salon to ensure high-quality, high-performance formulations at a price everyone can afford.

The shampoo and conditioner have a very light, delicious fragrance that is pleasing while you cleanse and condition my hair, and then it's gone after my shower. I find that perfect. I do not like hair products that want to stick around and compete with my chosen fragrance of the day.

As I mentioned, my hair is a challenge. It's find, straight, and as flat as can be without something to help it with volume. I can only do so much when I'm blow drying it. I do the upside down trick and all the other known techniques, but the real test of a hair product is whether I have volume at the end of the day - or even the next day. Sally Hershberger's Plump Up products passed that test with pride. It may seem like an afterthought, but they cleanse well and leave my usually tangled hair easy to comb out after a shower.

I will continue to use Plump Up Volume Shampoo and Conditioner after I finish using my gratis products. You can find them at Sally Hershberger's own Web site, Drugstore.com, and Ulta, where there is a current special offer.

Photos courtesy of Drugstore.com

Davines Nounou Nourishing Illuminating Shampoo with Chestnut Milk and Nounou Illuminating Cream Conditioner with Tomato Extract

Not long ago, Drugstore.com helped me "discover" two hair-care products that have turned into favorites. When they sent me an order a few months ago, they included in my box a generous sample of Davines Nounou Illuminating Cream Conditioner with Tomato Extract. How did I get so lucky? I'll take you on my Davines journey today.

My first thought when I saw the little tub was that someone had finally found the perfect way to package a thick conditioner. When I tried it, I fell in love. I ordered one immediately - thinking, "How on earth did this brand escape my notice?" I also ordered the Nounou Nourishing Illuminating Shampoo. I figured that the shampoo would be as good as the conditioner. I figured correctly. Davines deserves some serious recognition for these luxurious products!

Davines Nounou Nourishing Illuminating Shampoo with Chestnut Milk is available in two sizes at Drugstore.com, $18.80 for 8.45 ounces or $43.27 for 33.8 ounces. These are sale prices, which I discovered today. I paid more. There was no question I would order the value sizes since I knew the conditioner was fabulous. Nounou Nourishing Illuminating Cream Conditioner with Tomato Extract is priced at $20.00 for 8.45 ounces and $57.60 for 33.8 ounces.

Both of these are "salon" products, meaning they are only sold though licensed retailers. Drugstore.com discloses that it is not a licensed retailer. However, if you use Google to search the Internet, you will find several non-salon sources for these fabulous products. I discovered that Davines products are sold at Barneys.

A few years ago, I found a shampoo and conditioner I loved at CVS. My feature hadn't been posted for a day when a women representing the maker swooped in, leaving a huffy comment that her products were not available at CVS - or if they were, they had been diverted "illegally." She objected to her products being called drugstore treasures. I verified that they were on the CVS stock list and left up my feature. She may not have wanted the publicity, but I wanted to tell my readers how to find a great deal.

Anyhow, back to the business at hand. When I blind bought the shampoo, I had "visions" of the unappealing smell like roasted chestnuts. Fortunately, the scent is fabulous, but hard to describe. Allure likened it to eggnog. I don't smell eggnog or chestnuts - just a light, creamy scent that's gone as soon as I finish my shower. It's a very gentle shampoo, fabulous for color-treated hair. I like it because it cleans well and gently, and along with the conditioner, leaves my hair with volume and shine. Allure said, "It made our highlights look and feel shiny, not stripped, and our color didn't fade in the slightest."

The company targets this fabulous shampoo to color-treated hair. Color-treated hair needs deep nourishment to restore its strength, body, and shine. Chestnut milk is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, mineral salts, and lipids and deeply moisturizes. Hydrocreatine adds strength and elasticity. Rice proteins condition and protect the hair from environmental damage, and silicone micro-emulsions illuminate the hair's natural tones.

The Nounou Illuminating Cream Conditioner with Tomato Extract is very thick, but dispenses easily from the wide top of the bottle. It leaves my hair, which normally tangles badly during cleansing, tangle-free and easy to comb out. When I use it with the Davines shampoo or any other shampoo, it gives my hair volume and shine.

The rich blend of interactive ingredients restructures, nourishes, protects, and restores body to color-treated hair. Sweet almond butter and vitamin F nourish, while hydrocreatine internally strengthens the hair and increases elasticity. Tomato extract protects from free radicals, and rhizobian gum maintains color's vibrancy. Naturally, the company recommends that you start your ritual with Nounou Shampoo for best results.

There is only one "but" that relates only to the containers, not the products. The large, value-sized plastic bottles are very heavy and difficult to handle in the shower. I've had them slip out of my hands more than once. I would imagine salons use pump dispensers so that the shampoo specialists don't have to pick up the plastic bottles. Working with the bottles in the wet shower is cumbersome. If you don't feel you can manage the gigunda bottles, which do not come with pump dispensers, you might want to try the "regular-sized" products.

As I researched Davines, I found that there are other formulations. One is Momo for dry and dehydrated hair. I'd like to try more - and most certainly will. Barneys doesn't offer the best prices - probably because they are authorized retailers - but I'm resourceful. I'll find the best price somewhere.

Have you ever seen Davines products in your salon? I haven't. There's more information at the company's Web site. Founded in Parma, Italy in 1983 by the Bollati family, Davines Group started as a research laboratory producing high-end hair-care products for renowned cosmetic companies worldwide. After a decade of honing its expertise, they began creating their own brand of Davines hair-care products exclusively for salons. I learned there about Davines' commitment to clean energy and sustainability. I like them even more now.

For now, since there is a sale, I'd recommend Drugstore.com. I don't think you'll regret a blind buy of any of Davines' extraordinary products.

Photos courtesy of Drugstore.com and Allure

AVEENO Celebrates Earth Month with a Best Things in Beauty Giveaway Contest (US Only)

Earth month is here, and going green is easier than you may think. This month, reach for the eco-friendly AVEENO Pure Renewal Hair Care Collection ($7.49-$8.49 per product) featuring Active Naturals Balancing Seaweed Extract. As an AVEENO Active Natural Ambassador, I have received these products, used them, and love them.

AVEENO's Hair Care Collection was formulated by AVEENO scientists with the help of eco-friendly celebrity stylist, Patrick Melville. This collection offers sulfate-free cleansing without parabens or synthetic dyes.
The folks at AVEENO knew it was important to provide consumers with a product that offers non-abrasive cleansing with the lathering benefit not seen in other sulfate-free hair care products. The brand also took additional steps to make this product especially earth-friendly in terms of the ingredients, packaging, and innovation - even how the product is transported to retailers.

The formula is 90% renewable and produced using a low-energy, solvent-free process that yields zero waste AVEENO uses a starch-based formula, derived from potatoes, that delivers the performance of traditional shampoo without releasing polluting chemicals into the environment.

AVEENO is offering Best Things in Beauty readers an opportunity to celebrate Earth Month with a giveaway featuring AVEENO's Pure Renewal Hair Collection. The winner will receive the entire collection: AVEENO Pure Renewal Shampoo, AVEENO Pure Renewal Conditioner, and AVEENO Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo - along with a special tree planting kit that we hope you will use to add some green to our earth.

I have one prize to give away. How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of winners I haven't been able to find in the past.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many readers, such as GFC - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" and "AVEENO" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, April 27, 2013, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open only to residents of the United States. AVEENO will send out the winner's prize. The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and other "elements" the way the winner provides them.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photos courtesy AVEENO; collage made by yours truly

Cristophe Professional Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner

Cristophe Professional sent me their Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner ($8.99 each) to try in advance of their rollout to new retailers. Now that I've use them entirely, I'm ready to tell you about them.

I can't get another drop out of the containers. Think I liked them? They are shown above in a photo of a value set, the Practical Suite: Hydrating Platform, however, you can purchase them separately.

When your skin is thirsty and dry, so is your hair. That would be all of the time in my case. As your skin cracks (my heels were a mess this winter), your hair cuticle becomes jagged, causing your hair to look poofed up and frizzy. Cristophe Professional's Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner are filled with moisturizing, anti-static, and anti-frizz ingredients to help battle any damage to hair - from heat to cold, color treatments to heredity. They lock in nourishing moisture to seal and hydrate the cuticle. The products offer salon-quality hair care for the smart and savvy drugstore shopper.

Cristophe Professional's products are always tested in the Cristophe Salons before launch. They are tested on Cristophe's clients - never on animals. That's confidence. The company wants real feedback on the products and their performance.

The line was carried exclusively at CVS and salons for last nine years, and now they are branching out into additional drug stores across the country. With the list of retailers growing, these products will be even easier to find.

Winter was a great time for me to test the shampoo and conditioner, although I would use them any time of year. These products feature ingredients that you'll find in the priciest products created to hydrate the hair. They include...

• Ultraviolet protectors to protect against sun damage and color fading;
• Creatine to provide strength and improve elasticity;
• Vitamin C for shine and vibrancy;
• Paraben-free.

The Hydrating Shampoo has a delightful, light, fruity scent that disappears after my shower (perfect!). It lathers well and cleans my hair without stripping. I think it's hydrating, as promised.

The Hydrating Conditioner has the same delightful scent. Its packaging gave me pause. It's a nice, thick conditioner that doesn't require an excessive amount to detangle and condition my hair quickly. My beef with conditioners is that I usually run out of them long before the matching shampoo. That was not the case with this beauty. However, I couldn't get it out of the slit in the flip-up cap. No amount of shaking, squeezing, or prodding could force the conditioner out of its plastic bottle. To use it, I had to remove the cap and shake it hard (the hard shake when it wasn't full anymore) to dispense the conditioner. Rich can have its disadvantages.

I must leave most conditioners on my hair for three minutes or so to detangle my hair after shampooing. This one works really quickly. I can remove it after working it thoroughly through my hair. In fact, if I leave it on too long, my hair is very soft, but loses volume. That's because my hair is so fine. Those who have thicker hair (blonde hair is generally very thin) will find that it does a remarkable job of conditioning.

I'd recommend you give this set a try. The price is right, and it's easy to find. Why pay a lot when a great drugstore product is right up the street? If you can't find it, you can order from Cristophe's Web site, where you will find hair care in all types, including glossing, volumizing, and color-extending.

Photo courtesy of Cristophe

Marc Anthony Oil Of Morocco Argan Oil Shampoo

Knowing how popular argan oil is, I've tried and tried to find argan oil products to use on my hair. Given how fine my hair is, something has always been wrong with them. They would be too heavy, or the in the case of one hair spray, too fragranced. Then, out of the blue, Marc Anthony sent me his Aragan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner. I'm smitten! It took Marc Anthony to unwrap argan oil's secrets for me.

“We often look to beauty secrets of the past as inspiration for today. One of the greatest ancestral beauty secrets comes from Morocco - Argan Oil. It is really a 'super oil’ because it has so many benefits: strengthening, moisturizing, shine, damage relief, and the list goes on. When you buy Argan Oil for your hair you’re getting one of the best natural resources for healthy looking hair,” says Marc Anthony's team.

Argan oil is the foundation for Anthony's Oil of Morocco Collection. The powerful Moroccan oil, with an added boost of strengthening keratin, has been infused into each product to create a full system for high moisture and unbeatable strength. It starts with your wash to rid hair of impurities while gently moisturizing; then to your condition for super hydration, shine, and restoration. Finally a daily lightweight oil treatment to impart strength, add shine, and control frizz. 

Everything claimed is true, but there's more. Argan Oil Shampoo ($7.99) is contains the argan oil and keratin, but also grape seed oil. The sulfate-free shampoo lathers nicely and cleans thoroughly. It smells fresh and nice without any overt perfume scent.

The Arman Oil Conditioner ($7.99), containing the same treatment ingredients, seals the deal. I have a hard time finding conditioners that condition my hair well, leaving it shiny and bouncy, without weighing it down. Any hair products that are heavy leave my hair limp. If I try lightweight conditioners, I find they won't detangle my hair after a vigorous wash. I can rely on this duo to leave my with clean hair, and easy comb out, and two full days of life and volume. How great is that?

Check out this link for retailers. Supposedly, Marc Anthony's hair products are available at CVS, but I've never seen them here. I will look more thoroughly, particularly at Ulta. If they aren't there, I will most likely restock at drugstore.com, one of my favorites.

Photo courtesy of Marc Anthony

Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner

There are a few advantages to being an AVEENO Ambassador - not the least of which was a package in the mail of AVEENO's Pure Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner. I used them entirely and had to go out and buy more. I love them - and I couldn't get the containers to give up another precious drop.

The Pure Renewal line was developed to be a new, pure way to renew your hair every time you wash it. The exclusive sulfate-free, Active Naturals formulas (proprietary to AVEENO), combined with balancing seaweed extract, bring hair back to its natural, most balanced state with each wash.

AVEENO scientists have harnessed the power of Active Naturals Balancing Seaweed Extract in formulas that provide a unique cleansing and conditioning system to rebalance and preserve our hair's optimal moisture levels. My hair, dry from age and highlighting (plus my overall dryness because I can never remember to drink enough water) can always use a moisture treat. My problem is that many moisturizing shampoos and conditioners leave my hair silky, but totally limp and lifeless. Pure Renewal provides the moisture I need without leaving my hair limp and devoid of volume.

Rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals, Balancing Seaweed Extract works together with sulfate-free, naturally derived cleansers in these formulas that effectively remove impurities without over-drying or over-moisturizing, to leave hair shinier, healthier looking, and more manageable. 

There are three Pure Renewal products: 1) Pure Renewal Shampoo, 2) Pure Renewal 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner, and 2) Pure Renewal Conditioner. I am using Pure Renewal 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner as my shampoo and Pure Renewal Conditioner to end my treatment, despite the fact that I could stop with the one-step product. The double conditioning leaves my hair nicely hydrated.

My hair behaves nicely after using these two products. It holds the style I create with my blow dryer, and, best of all, keeps the volume in my hair style all day and into the next.

The Pure Renewal hair care products smell great. They have a very green scent - not at all overwhelming and not one that carries forward into my day. The scent makes my in-shower hair-care experience more pleasant.

I read a customer review on AVEENO's Web site that called these products "awesome." I have to agree. There are few mass market hair care lines that capture my attention and keep it. The Pure Renewal products have earned a permanent place in my shower.

Check them out. You can find them everywhere - drug stores, supermarkets, discount stores - anywhere you can find AVEENO -  even my favorite Costco. They are more than worth their ultra-affordable price - generally between $7 and $9. I don't really feel badly about running out (I wash my hair every day) when I can replace them for those prices. I do shake out every last drop, a habit when I love something. You've got to try them.

Photos courtesy of AVEENO

Suave Scalp Solutions Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner

Suave sent me a shampoo and conditioner from the Suave Scalp Solutions line - for testing and evaluation. I don't have dandruff (fortunately), so I wasn't sure how I could test the products adequately. I politely asked a few work colleagues if they would be willing testers, with an e-mail that started with, "This is a serious question." It was a little forward of me, given that I had never seen a flake on any of them. I did see one individual at work with a serious issue, but I didn't want to endanger my job by suggesting she could use some help.

According to Suave, people would rather clean the bathroom than admit to their partners they have dandruff. Men would rather see a bad haircut or messy hair than flakes on their ladies. Of the men surveyed, 90% reported they'd like to use a shampoo that would make them flake-free, so our guy friends are totally aware of scalp issues. Clearly, dandruff is a condition that bothers men and women equally. Suave has the perfect bathroom solution, to be shared by all members of the shower.

In the absence of a willing tester, I decided to try the Scalp Solutions Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner myself (the active ingredient, pyrithione zinc, wasn't going to hurt me). Wow! These nourishing hair-case products are luxuriously moisturizing. They leave my hair silky, shiny, and easy to comb out - without any loss of volume.

The Scalp Solutions line combines an effective dandruff-fighting ingredient with beautiful fragrances to make the hair-washing chore - daily for me - a delight. I tested Coconut & Shea Butter, which has a divine smell in the shower. Then it's gone - perfect! Coconut not your scent? Scalp Solutions are also available in Invigorating Mint & Eucalyptus and Ocean Minerals & Aloe Vera.

Suave recommends that you go easy on your scalp of you've got the flakes. You need to use the shampoo and conditioners together. Using Scalp Solutions with a regular conditioner defeats the purpose. They also recommend that you use a natural boar-bristle brush and gently brush your hair - again staying away from your irritated scalp. Check out their video on Facebook to learn more.

I used my Coconut & Shea Butter every day for two weeks. They are definitely gentle products, and I enjoyed my "test." I can't tell you whether they will banish flakes, but given my happiness with every Suave product I've ever used, I'll bet they will.

Now, I need to keep searching for an eager volunteer. It would be ashamed to let such a valuable treatment go to "waste" on me. I have reluctantly set aside the products for another person to try. I'll be continuing to observe my friends. The stars will align.

Suave Scalp Solutions Shampoo and Conditioner (priced in the $3-4 range each) are easy to find at mass market drugstores, grocery stores, and discount stores like Target and Walmart. They are also available at many online sources, including drugstore.com.

Photo courtesy of Suave Beauty

Tried and True: Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner

Rahua Shampoo ($32) and Rahua Conditioner ($34) from Amazon Beauty have earned a permanent place in my shower. Rather than using their proper names, I refer to the duo as Rahua Rapture, although that may describe my state of mind, rather than the products, every time I use them. I marvel at the luxury.

Bloggers aren't supposed to find themselves at a loss for words, but I can't think of enough superlatives to use in describing Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner. Awesome, impressive, luscious...these adjectives apply, along with effective, which doesn't sound terribly exciting, but actually means a lot in beauty parlance. Earth-friendly, green, and animal friendly are also applicable. "Wow" works for me. These are amazing hair-care products.

I've been using Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner for about a year and a half, and I'm still smitten. The shampoo does it all. It lathers generously without sulfates. As you massage it into your hair and scalp, it grows in luxurious volume, adding a rich feel to every shampoo while it cleanses and conditions. Using Rahua Shampoo is an olfactory trip to the rain forest, but no residue or fragrance are left behind. When you're done? Your hair will be shiny, bouncy, and have volume - all without stripping. It's perfect for all hair types, including color-treated hair.

Rahua Conditioner is everything I expect from a conditioner - and more. Rahua Conditioner leaves my hair soft, silky, shiny, and "knot-free" after shampooing. It doesn't "over-condition," though. Some conditioners leave my hair so soft it has no volume. I get soft with volume with Rahua Conditioner. Like the shampoo, it's ideal for color-treated or damaged hair. You can even use it as a double-duty leave-in styling product.

Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner are made with organic and 100% natural ingredients, including rahua nut oil, the star of the show after which the product is named. The molecules of rahua nut oil from the Amazon are extremely fine, allowing the oil to penetrate the hair's cortex to rebuild, moisturize, and strengthen. Additionally, rahua oil has a positive charge and is attracted to the negative charge of dry hair, allowing it to effectively close the hair cuticle.

The ingredient lists of these products read like a botanical garden who's who. In addition to the rahua oil, the shampoo includes camellia leaf extract, honeysuckle flower extract, raspberry leaf extract, aloe barbadensis, shea and coconut butter, sea salt (for scalp circulation), vegetable glycerin, hydrolyzed wheat protein, vitamin E, oenoccarpus bataua, lecithin, palo santo oil, panthenol, hydrolyzed oat protein, and citric acid. There are no sulfates, parabens, silicone, animal products, or synthetics in any Rahua products.

The conditioner contains wheat protein, which promotes moisture retention and helps repair damaged and color-treated hair; green tea leaf extracts to mitigate damage from UV ray exposure; aloe, which moisturizes and regenerates lackluster locks; and palo santo, which offers a very delicate (mildly nutty) and pleasant fragrance for a nice experience while you use the conditioner.

Someone is going to tell me that Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner are pricey. Here's my take. Your appearance is the first thing others notice about you. You make an immediate impression with your appearance, and your hair, skin, and makeup play a leading role in your appearance. Why not target your spending to ensure that you look great? Rahua can help you. There's another thing you should consider. A year's supply of Rahua hair products will cost far less than a year's supply of high-end makeup.

Would you spend $66 on the latest eye shadow palette? If so, you owe it to yourself to spend $66 to try this duo. If you are on a strict budget, then use the Rahua products for special occasions - or at least once a week. Just use them! A portion of every purchase is donated to educate tribes in the Amazon about ways to protect their jungles and rivers from deforestation and contamination through sustainable use of natural resources. That should give you an additional reason to consider Rahua.

Check out the incredible organic, natural, and vegan Rahua hair products at Amazon Beauty. There is a store and salon locator at this link. You can purchase Rahua at Zuneta and Beautyhabit if you are shopping at either site.

Photos courtesy of Amazon Beauty

Celebrity Hair Stylist Patrick Melville Answers Our Questions and an Amazing Giveaway Contest

Synonymous with glamour, high fashion, and timeless beauty, Patrick Melville is one the most prestigious and premiere hair stylists in the fashion industry. A former boxer (!) in England, Patrick began his 30-year career in London for British Vogue. His work has graced the pages of Vogue, W, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar, and he has collaborated with top editorial photographers.

When he moved to New York City, Patrick joined the creative team at the renowned Pipino Buccheri Salon and then spent several years as Creative Director of the Warren-Tricomi Salon. In July 2007, Patrick launched his first-ever independent salon, The Patrick Melville Salon & Spa, at The Sports Club/LA at Rockefeller Center. His list of celebrity clients would blow you away. They include Catherine Zeta-Jones, Halle Berry, Heidi Klum, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Brooke Shields, Sting, Mark Tom Cruise, and Harry Connick Jr. That's variety!

Patrick is also the official spokesperson and branding consultant for AVEENO. He recently answered AVEENO Ambassador questions and shared some tips with us (yes, I'm fortunate to be an Ambassador, and you benefit from the relationship, as you'll see below). Here are Patrick's tips and tricks.

What cut will create the most volume for fine, long hair? What should we ask for at the salon?

The cut that is best for fine, long hair is a cut that has long layers…some softer, shorter pieces around the face. Also add a sweeping fringe that sweeps to the side and creates a lot of versatility to give hair maximum volume. Products are key, such as a lightweight volumizing spray at the roots because, as you know, volume comes from the roots. Remember to make sure to tell your stylist to keep the layers long. Layers can thin the hair if too short.

I have long black hair that used to be shiny and silky, now it has lost some of its luster. How can I get it back?

The best way to get back your luster is to use the AVEENO Nourish+ Shine Shampoo and Conditioner along with the AVEENO Living Color Shine Glaze, which can be used on all hair types. This will give you maximum shine and close the cuticle and boost the life back into your hair.

I'd love to hear Patrick Melville's specifics on hair care for extensions and hair care for mixed hair (like hair for half black/half hispanic, hispanic hair-care problems).

The best way to treat extensions is to make sure they do not stay in too long or grow out too much. Either will put stress on your own hair when using styling tools. The best way to take care of them is to be sure to condition every time you shampoo and to use the AVEENO Nourish+ Leave-In Treatment before styling. This will make the extensions more manageable and will lock in moisture. This also applies to African American hair or Hispanic hair that tends to be drier by nature and more coarse. Like your skin, when it's dry you need to apply more moisture. The leave-in conditioner locks in moisture and helps elasticity to lessen breakage.

I’d love to get the scoop from Patrick about how to make thin hair look thicker. Mine just gets super-stringy as it grows longer. It’s awful!

Make sure you trim your hair on a regular basis and do not use any type of oil or silicone-based products. You should use a volumzing spray and apply a lightweight styling glaze to damp hair before blow drying. Do not over-blow dry, and when you are finished, use the AVEENO Nourish+ Style Fortifying Hairspray to create fullness and body, making hair swell and look thicker.

Does Patrick have any hairstyle tips to get women over 40 out of the hair "frump"? Maybe some tips on how to update a look. Most images and tips I get are for young women, so I'd love some for "older" women.

As you may know, women over 40 do not have to cut off their hair to look less frumpy. I suggest cutting the hair to the collarbone with some longer layers. This will give the hair some energy and still allow you to be very versatile with styling options. For example this cut allows you to put your hair back into a low chignon or a French twist. This will still give you that soft, sexy look without having to cut off your locks to stay youthful and feminine.

Patrick recommended AVEENO products in his answers to these questions, and AVEENO and Recyclebank have an offer for you. One lucky winner will receive five products, which will be sent directly to the winner by AVEENO.

• AVEENO NOURISH+ Shine Shampoo and Conditioner
• AVEENO Living Color Shine Glaze
• AVEENO NOURISH+ Style Fortifying Hairspray
• AVEENO NOURISH+ Leave-In Treatment
  

How can you enter this contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, December 17, at midnight. The next day, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to residents of the United States. For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photos courtesy of Patrick Melville and AVEENO

Brandon Martinez and His B. The Product Hair Care

Last weekend, Brandon Martinez made a two-day working trip to Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria, where his fabulous hair care products are sold. Instead of doing "the usual thing," talking to women about their hair and concerns and recommending the best products for them, Brandon brought along his tools and another stylist and did blow-drys. Was he a popular guy! Women who saw the magic he was working lined up for a chance to sit in his chair. I was one of the lucky ones. I had an appointment, so at noon Brandon started to give me a jazzy look.

He never asked how I like my hair. I found it interesting that he instinctively knew how it should look. His guess was great; I loved the end result. We all thought the front looked good? Look at the back! I'm glad everyone in the store noticed so that I could give my camera to someone to get a picture of his masterpiece.

Brandon Martinez is the Los Angeles-based celebrity hair expert and stylist behind the fresh and original hair-care line, B. The Product. Born in California, Martinez spent his early twenties surfing and pursuing acting. He appeared in the 1997 feature film The Debut. After looking into expanding into other creative outlets, Martinez discovered his talent for hair and refined his skills under famed Luis Licari's careful guidance.

In 2004, Martinez appeared on Bravo's hit shows, Blow Out and Salon Diaries, Style Network's, Split Ends, TLC's LA Ink, and NBC's Biggest Loser. Martinez quickly made a name for himself and with the shows' success. He was recruited by Joel Warren and Edward Tricomi (of the celebrated Warren and Tricomi Salon) to open their West Hollywood location. With the successful opening, Martinez continued his dedication and longed to put the creativity back in hair-care products. Concerned that hair-care lines were not focused on the important day-to-day hair problems that men and women had, Martinez created his own professional treatment and styling line, and B. The Product was introduced. No matter what else Martinez is doing, his true passion and love is hair.

Martinez boasts a notable client roster that ranges from New York society elite, including Wendi Murdoch, and supermodels such as Elle Macpherson. Now you can add to his fan club a lot of women in the DC area!

You can see his products at this link. I bought several that day at Neiman Marcus, including Dry Cleaned, his dry shampoo, which he uses sparingly to add volume (genius!); Shampoo Perfected; and Conditioned Perfected. They all smell great. Brandon said he wants them to smell clean and nice while customers are using them and then have the fragrance dissipate. That's perfect for me! They are also very reasonably priced.

He said all of his clients want to look young and sexy. If that translates into fabulous, who could disagree? I watched him (hip and young himself) spend as much time working on side and back looks as he did on the hair the frames the face. I liked his 360-degree approach to styling.

You can find B. The Products at Neiman Marcus stores and on Brandon's Web site. I think you'll love his maintenance, treatment, and styling products. I do!

Before I left, we decided to clown for the camera, holding one of his products, of course. Brandon is fun! If you live in Southern California, go see him! If he makes an appearance at a Neiman Marcus near you, make an appointment. I guarantee you will love the way you look when you hop out of his chair.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty (with a little help)

New: Rahua Voluminous Shampoo and Conditioner

I may be one of Rahua's most ardent fans. If you are new to Best Things in Beauty and didn't see last year's features on Rahua's first introductions, click here and here. I described my love as "Rahua rapture," although that may have described my state of mind, rather than the products themselves, the first time I used them.

Bloggers aren't supposed to find themselves at a loss for words, but I wasn't able to think of enough superlatives to use in describing Rahua's original Shampoo and Conditioner. Awesome, impressive, luscious - those adjectives applied, along with effective, which doesn't sound terribly exciting, but actually means a lot in beauty parlance. Earth-friendly, green, and animal friendly were also - and remain - applicable. "Wow" worked for me last year. Rahua's hair-care products are fabulous.

Not long ago, I learned that Rahua had introduced a new line to its collection called "Voluminous." Just like the title, the Voluminous Shampoo ($32) and Conditioner ($34) will give you plenty of volume in your hair, even if it's board-straight and relatively volume-less like mine. I've learned from their first use that the new products deserve all the accolades I showered on the original shampoo and conditioner.

The shampoo cleanses to create body and bounce without the drying effects found in other volumizing lines, and it's safe for color-treated hair. Rich with organic and 100% natural ingredients, it offers an aromatheraputic lavender and eucalyptus treat to calm and relax while shampooing. It's a subtle treat, not an all-out herb-fest. I find the scent pleasing, and it's gone once I step out of the shower. To my mind, that's perfect.

Lemongrass and green tea create body, volume, and bounce by balancing and removing excess oils from the hair shaft, without compromising the integrity of the hair. Citric juices break down oils, allowing you to extend the time between washes if you wish. Rain forest-gown Ungurahua nut oil is rich in omega-9 and helps to restore, heal, moisturize, and strengthen the hair follicles and shaft, resulting in stronger, healthier hair. Jojoba adds moisturizing properties and nourishment to the hair. Then there's the lavender and eucalyptus to make you feel good.

The shampoo makes my hair feel clean and light. It's lighter than Rahua's regular shampoo, and it's a great choice for summer - or for alternating with Rahua's first wondrous shampoo.

The first time I used Rahua's Voluminous Conditioner, I was pleased that I could get it out of its container. My only complaint with Rahua's regular conditioner is that it comes in a bottle with a flip-up top to dispense the incredibly thick and luxurious product. I had to remove (unscrew) the cap and must tap/shake the bottle vigorously each time I use it to force the conditioner into my palm. That's not a great a hardship when you love something, but it isn't ultra-convenient. It's a trade-off, though: rich and effective vs. the alternative.

Rahua's Voluminous Conditioner offers no such obstacles. It has a thinner formula, and it dispenses easily, while working perfectly. It protects while creating body and bounce, and like the new shampoo, it's safe for color-treated hair. Also rich with organic and 100% natural ingredients, Voluminous Conditioner adds volume and vitality. Lemongrass, green tea, Ungurahua oil, and jojoba offer the same benefits they offer in the shampoo, while the lavender and eucalyptus extend my aromatheraputic moments.

Rahua Voluminous Conditioner can do double duty as a hair beautifier for use when styling to add control and prevent frizz. I haven't used it that way. My hair is too fine and too thin for much coating after cleansing and conditioning.

I purchased the new Voluminious Hair Spray ($28) and saved it for this week. Days of rain will be the ultimate test of a hair spray. There is a user guide at Rahua's site, and I want to make sure I use it properly to evaluate its effectiveness.

I would recommend Rahua's products to everyone. For many years, I have had an exclusive set of the best brands for my hair in my shower. They are, in my opinion, the best of the best, and they are all a bit pricey. They make such a difference, they are worth every penny. I'm adding Rahua Voluminous Shampoo and Voluminous Conditioner to that exclusive set, which contains the original Rahua set. I think I'm going to alternate the new Voluminous products with the original ones because my hair is dry, even in the summer. Using both will give me a nice balance between super-moisturizing one day and moisturizing and volumizing the next. It's a win!

Amazon Beauty has a Web site where you can learn about the brand and see that everyone in the world of beauty, fashion, and Hollywood has discovered Rahua. You can shop there too, or you can purchase Rahua hair care at Beauyhabit (my last purchase of the new products), New London Pharmacy, Barneys New York, Ion Studio, and other retail locations (stores and online) listed here. Rahua has a Facebook page too. There's no excuse for being unaware of the wondrous Rahua hair care.

A portion of every purchase is donated to educate tribes in the Amazon about ways to protect their jungles and rivers from deforestation and contamination through sustainable use of natural resources. That should give you an additional reason to consider Rahua.

I can't say enough good things. It's as simple as that!

Photos courtesy of Amazon Beauty

WEN Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner

Before WEN, I had never found a single product that cleansed and conditioned my hair effectively in one fell swoop. Products advertised as "one-step does it all" - even from pricey lines - never got it right. Either they were great shampoos and poor conditioners or vice versa. My hair was left either a tangled, unconditioned mess or coated and weighted down. I had given up on the concept.

Something about WEN's Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner ($28) struck a chord. Maybe it was Chaz Dean's reputation. When I was offered a chance to try it, I jumped. It was perfect timing since showers had to be as short as possible during the initial weeks after my knee surgery.

WEN Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner is a universal cleanser designed to give all hair types the moisture and hydration they need to stay healthy, shiny, and manageable. It is an incredibly rich formula that thoroughly cleanses and conditions, without leaving behind residue to weigh down my fine hair. WEN Cleansing Conditioners replace more than shampoo. One product can do the job of shampoo, detangler, conditioner, leave-in treatment, and styling products.

There's a technique to using Cleansing Conditioner. Wet your hair thoroughly. Then, depending on the length of your hair, pump a predetermined amount of cleanser into your palm. The directions are on the bottle. If you don't already do so with your shampoo, apply it in sections of your head: the crown, nape/back, left side, and right side. Add a splash of water and massage in, as you normally would with shampoo, for two to three minutes. This cleanser does not product a lot of foamy bubbles. It's at this point I deviate from the company's directions just a bit. I do leave the product on my hair while I am taking care of my face, eyelids, and body. Once I finish with that, I don't need to comb through my hair with a wide-toothed comb. My fingers separate any tangles effortlessly and amazingly quickly. One or two passes through just the center back of my hair, and I am good to go. Additionally, I don't apply any product to leave in, although those with thicker hair might want to do so.

Once I hope out of the shower, I use my normal, ceramic wide-toothed brush "thingy" to comb through my hair before styling as usual. My hair is clean, soft, and shiny, and it's got volume. Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner does it all! I like the way it smells while I'm using it, but I don't notice that any fragrance hangs around later, which is perfect in my book. However, if you aren't excited by the pomegranate fragrance, you can purchase lavender, sweet almond mint, cucumber/aloe, fig, and more. There's a Cleansing Conditioner for every taste.

Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner is filled with lovely ingredients, starting with pomegranate extract, which has antioxidant properties and is incredibly hydrating. The long list showcases other key ingredients, including those listed here.

• Hydrolyzed soy protein increases strength and manageability.
• Organic aloe vera leaf juice is healing and moisturizing and offers anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
• Rosemary extract, also an antioxidant, stimulates hair growth and fights scalp problems.
• Chamomile extract is calming and soothing and good for dry skin.
• Marigold extract, known to fight inflammation, should be good for our skin.
• Menthol will help alleviate itching, tenderness, and irritation.
• Wild cherry fruit extract is also soothing and anti-inflammatory.
• Panthenol Pro-vitamin B5 is a penetrating moisturizer that reduces split ends and strengthens the hair as it seals in moisture.

Chaz Dean's all-natural line has replaced the harmful detergents and sulfates in soap and shampoo with nourishing botanical ingredients that work wonders on all types of hair - from dry and damaged to thick and frizzy. “Shampoos contain so many harmful ingredients from detergents, sulfates, and surfactants that not only build up with continual use, but are simply bad for the scalp and hair,” Dean explains. “This is why so many women struggle with premature stripping of color, frizziness, dullness, dryness, hair loss, and many other forms of hair damage.”

Beautiful women with beautiful hair count themselves among WEN's ardent followers. Gwyneth Paltrow, Marcia Cross, Charlize Theron, and Diana Agron are just a few. I'm a convert. I love my Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner and will be exploring more from Chaz Dean's product line soon. You can find WEN products and the Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner at Chaz Dean's WEN Web site, QVC, and Amazon. Let me know if you like it as much as I do.

Photo courtesy of Chaz Dean

Can Your Hair Stay Cleaner Longer? Yes with abhaircare!

What a clever name for a shampoo. Does Cleaner Longer ($22) from abhaircare live up to its name? Yes, an emphatic, resounding, enthusiastic, yes! I am so thrilled with Adam Broderick's hair care products, I want to tell everyone - try them! Buy them!

Are you wondering, "Who is Adam Broderick?" He's one of the industry’s most respected figures - recognized as a salon and spa innovator, a formidable leader, and a visionary. His early success as a colorist in Manhattan eventually resulted in the creation of his own salon in Connecticut. Two decades later, that salon and spa is an established business, known for consistent growth, pace-setting style, and multiple locations. Adam is also a motivational speaker and consultant. He's always looking for ways to help salons prosper, with critical new thinking to fuel growth. His clients include the powerhouse Proctor and Gamble, as well as international brands, such as Clairol and Wella, and beauty retail giant Ulta. What I can tell you is that the man knows hair - mine and yours. His products are phenomenal!

Adam says that home hair care often leaves hair over-conditioned, limp, and lifeless. He believes we ought to have simple, effective products that leave our hair bigger, better, smoother, and sleeker. He also thinks we should need fewer products to produce long-lasting style. His motto, more good hair days with fewer products, had me absolutely giddy. I use some of the best (and most expensive) hair care products available. When I heard about abhaircare, I immediately wanted to try Adam's products. His salon graciously sent me three to try.

• Cleaner Longer - your go-to for clean hair that stays cleaner longer without harsh detergents. For fine to normal hair.
• Hydrating Rinse - tame your hair with hydrating rinse for a moisture boost that will not over-condition your hair.
• Deeper - penetrates and infuses hair with moisture, repairing and restoring natural sheen and elasticity to dry or damaged hair.

I love all three of them! Now, I have new products to put in my regular hair care regimen, and I'm thinking about dropping one more expensive brand from my favorites list.

My hair is very fine, and it has no volume. I have to wash and style it every day I want to look decent (which normally means every day). I know that dries out my hair, but I have no choice. So, I use hydrating shampoos and conditioners. On the second day, any curl I put into my bob through styling is long gone, and I'm facing flat, limp, boring hair. Cleaner Longer gave me clean hair without stripping it of its moisture - something I noticed right away while shampooing - and on the second day, I still have a hair style and volume. It's amazing! No other shampoo has done that for me without stripping all the moisture out of my hair.

I've used both conditioning products, Hydrating Rinse ($23) and Deeper ($28), after shampooing with Cleaner Longer. Both detangle my hair nicely and leave it soft and smooth, without weighing it down (which is easy to do with fine hair). I think I'll use Deeper more often this winter and Hydrating Rinse more often in the summer.

Now I want to try Bigger Better, a volumizing hybrid, and Hairspray (medium hold and humidity resistance). The three products I've used are so incredible, I'm sure I'll love the others. ab haircare products contain no petroleum, parabens, mineral oil, or phthalates. They do contain an abundance of vitamins and botanical. I'm having good hair days! My hair is cleaner longer (she says, gushing, with a very satisfied smile).

Adam's products are available at the ab beauty boutique or by phone at (800) 438-3834. You'll be happy when you try them.

Photos courtesy of abhaircare

Nick Chavez Beverly Hills Ultra Shine Honey-Peppermint Shampoo and Conditioner

Recently, I mentioned that there are a couple of stellar hair care brands that are always in my shower. At the time, I didn't tell you what they are. One of them is Nick Chavez Beverly Hills. I have written about Nick's products before (Flocker has become one of my favorite styling products - I still chuckle over its clever name), and his shampoos and conditioners have earned a permanent place in my shower. Nourishing Shampoo ($16) is a must-have. If you didn't read my accounts of my introduction to Nick's products last year, please pop over to Part 1 and Part 2, where I explained that I had fallen in love with a man I'd never met.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to a set of products that combines ancient wisdom with technology to make your hair as soft as silk. The products are based on rich, heavenly honey! Honey plus botanicals and natural ingredients deeply penetrate every strand to restore your hair's condition, shine, and softness. This isn't just marketing babble! The results speak for themselves.

I don't usually go around asking people to feel my hair, especially people I don't know all that well. I have asked after using Nick's Ultra Shine Honey-Peppermint Shampoo and Conditioner ($18 for shampoo; $20 for conditioner). Those who were asked obliged. I'm sure they were just being nice, possibly thinking I was a crazy lady, but the response was universal: "Amazing"!

I know there are women who would kill for soft hair. Their genes have conspired against them, giving them coarse, unmanageable hair. Or the dreaded grey hair has started to grow in. Most of the time, grey hairs are thicker and more coarse than young hair. I was surprised when my first grey hairs appeared, and my stylist explained to me that their texture was the norm. Then there are the color treatments, blow outs, styling irons, and sun damage (among other factors) that rob our hair of its moisture, rough up the strands, and leave hair feeling dry and/or coarse. Once the strands are damaged, your hair isn't going to feel soft without help. Nick has the shampoo and conditioner for you!

Nick Chavez Beverly Hills Ultra Shine Honey-Peppermint Shampoo and Conditioner combine honey with peppermint for a rich, deep nourishing formula that has the extra dimension of giving you a very pleasant shower experience. The light addition of peppermint is refreshing - and who doesn't need a little wake-up call in the morning?

The shampoo and conditioner help leave your hair bright, full, and bouncy. They freshen your scalp and prepare your hair for styling. Both are suitable for frequent use and all types of hair. One customer left a review on Nick's site that says, "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE..." I think she was excited.

Among the ingredients in the shampoo are lemon fruit extract, grapefruit, lime fruit extract, orange flower extract, dimethicone, glycerin, witch hazel, honey and peppermint (of course), avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, sage leaf extract, and jojoba seed oil. The list brings to mind an orchard - or an old apothecary filled with natural remedies. The conditioner shares many of the same nourishing ingredients, but adds aloe vera leaf juice (near the top of the list), a potent moisturizer and great for the scalp.

Here's the bottom line. Want softer hair? Get your hands on Ultra Shine Honey-Peppermint Shampoo and Conditioner. Your first use will amaze you. There's also a Honey Glaze Hair Styling Gel ($18) that provides hold, body, softness, and shine; helps your hair resist humidity; and never gets crackly like some styling products.

You can purchase these products at Nick's Web site, where you can visit Perfect Match, answer a few questions, and get Nick's recommendations for your hair. There are videos at this link. Visit when you have a few minutes to learn. Nick is a remarkable man and is so giving - of his expertise, but also his active support of many worthy charities. Nick Chavez Beverly Hills products are also available at QVC and Beauty.com. The ULTA near me has a limited selection.

If you would like to learn more about Nick Chavez, I published an interview with him in March. Click on this link to read about his history, his passion, and why he developed his products. You can also follow Nick on Twitter @NickChavezBH or at Facebook. Great guy!

Photos and product courtesy of Nick Chavez Beverly Hills